Electron swarm parameters in SF6/Ne mixtures determined by swarm experiment

The electron swarm growth processes in SF6/Ne gas mixtures have been studied by a pulsed Townsend method over the range 8 less than or equal to E/P less than or equal to 140 V mm(-1) kPa(-1), where E is the electric field and P is the gas pressure. The variation patterns as a function of the pressure reduced electric field of the effective ionization coefficient <(alpha)over bar>, electron drift velocity, V-e, and longitudinal diffusion coefficient D-L in SF6/Ne gas mixtures have been given. The dielectric strength of SF6/Ne gas mixtures has also been determined, which varies linearly with SF6 concentration in the gas mixtures. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)02118-0].